Islamabad/Quetta: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made a startling admission in the National Assembly on Monday, acknowledging that the country’s security forces are “physically handicapped” in their operations against insurgent groups in Balochistan, the country’s largest and sparsely populated province.
Addressing lawmakers amid a significant escalation of militant violence, Asif said the sheer vastness of Balochistan — which makes up more than 40 % of Pakistan’s landmass — has strained the ability of troops to effectively guard and patrol the region. He described the geography as a major operational challenge for the military confronting separatist militants, reported the Times of India
His remarks came against the backdrop of intense fighting between Pakistani forces and Baloch insurgent groups, notably the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Pakistani authorities reported a major counter-terror operation in recent days in which roughly 177 militants have been killed in encounters across the province, marking one of the deadliest periods in the ongoing insurgency.
Authorities have maintained heightened military deployment and operations to restore security and prevent further militant actions. Asif ruled out any negotiations with the BLA, labeling its members as terrorists and reaffirming the government’s stance against engaging with groups responsible for violence against civilians, according to reports.
Balochistan has long been troubled by a separatist insurgency driven by demands for greater autonomy and a fairer share of the province’s natural resources, as well as grievances over economic marginalization. The security situation has at times drawn international concern, with human rights organisations noting abuses linked to the prolonged conflict involving both state forces and insurgent groups
